Crystal Palace vs KuPS Kuopio Predictions

• KuPS have only won one of their five Conference League games
• The visitors lost 4-0 to Midtjylland in a Europa League qualifier in August
• Palace have created 7.0 xG across their last three games

Palace bid for top eight

The League Phase hasn’t been plain sailing for Conference League favourites Crystal Palace, as they’ve lost two of their first five fixtures. The Eagles head into their final game of the first phase on Thursday night one point shy of the top eight, leaving them facing the prospect of extra games in a busy campaign.

KuPS are within a point of the top 24, giving them an outside chance of making the next round. However, they’re 17/1 underdogs at Selhurst Park, while they’ve won only once across their first five games.

The Finnish side conceded 2.2 Expected Goals in a 0-0 draw with Lausanne Sport in their last European game. The visitors also lost 4-0 in a visit to Midtjylland in a Europa League qualifier in August.

Palace should have little trouble creating chances, having generated 1.9 xG in their weekend loss to Man City. They impressed in last week’s visit to Dublin, easing to a 3-0 win over Shelbourne.

With Palace aiming to jump into the top eight, back them to boost their goal difference with a comfortable win over KuPS. Spaniard Yeremi Pino is backed to drive them forward, after scoring at Shelbourne before taking four shots and recording 0.8 xG against City.